Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 78043 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78043 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Giggling, Joel nodded. “You’re all kinds of long. We need a long bed and a long tub and tall stuff.”
Tall stuff?
“I think that sounds like a good idea.” Whatever tall stuff was, he seemed to think I needed it. I wasn’t going to debate him on it, though, so as I opened the door, I changed the subject slightly. “What kind of jammies do you want to wear later?”
That had Joel nearly springing out of the car and his brain jumped on the new train of thought like it was a bullet train. “Oh, my superhero ones or maybe my truck jammies or the rocket ship is always fun. Which one do you like best?”
Before I’d shut the door and could answer, he jumped around a bit in the conversation. “Can I have my cage later? I want to be stuck after I have tub time and then we can cuddle and then you can tell me my cutie is adorable and we’ll let it out to play.”
I approved of the plan…but I hadn’t expected him to detail it when we had an audience.
“People have cages too?”
Oops.
Bug guy was clearly more innocent than I’d expected, but his blushing companion wasn’t, so hopefully he could explain that one.
I wasn’t going to, and no matter how well Tate held in his laughter, I wasn’t going to let him explain it either.
“No.” Pointing at Joel, I caught him right before he opened his mouth. “Or we’ll talk about your behavior.”
Joel aimed wide eyes and a confused look in my direction. “Communication is very important which is why I should remind you that I’m your good boy.”
Someone a few cars over snorted at that one, but I didn’t even bother looking around for the culprit.
They were right but I didn’t feel like having to admit it.
Chapter 20
Tate
“And then…and then…” Joel’s yawn cut off his excited rambling but he didn’t let it stop him for long. “And then the kraken will come out and eat them.”
Dean looked like he couldn’t decide if he was grossed out or had questions about the logic of Joel’s scenario, but he took a breath before he said anything. “I don’t think people would taste very good.”
Joel shrugged. “My online friend read a book that said humans are crunchy. Maybe we’re like popcorn?”
Dean just blinked at him.
I wasn’t sure what my response was supposed to be but laughter was all I had at the moment.
It made Dean aim a frustrated glare at me, but Joel giggled. “Just like they said. Daddy keeps us from being naughty.”
Whatever he was thinking was so funny he nearly slipped and barely caught himself before his legs nearly ended up over his head. “I’m safe, Daddy.”
“Bull—” Dean barely caught himself before starting again. “Are you sure about that?”
Joel giggled but he didn’t point out his Daddy’s slip. He also didn’t seem like he was going to answer the question because he smiled bigger and sat up on his knees so he could lean over the side of the tub and give Dean a cute cheek kiss. “You take such good care of me.”
Yep, the adorable defense worked more than fifty percent of the time with his Daddy, so I didn’t blame him for using that first.
“My mom liked that.” Little Joel didn’t have any hesitation about talking about his family no matter what headspace he was in. “She liked you, Daddy. She likes that you’re taking care of me.”
Bubbles and bathtub flirting had given Dean a chance to recover, so he wasn’t as stressed as he’d been on the drive back. “I’m glad she likes that and I’m glad she’s comfortable with our relationship.”
Oh yeah.
Leaning even farther over so Joel could give me a kiss too, he made me start to regret sitting on the floor with Dean as water went everywhere. “They liked you too, Master.”
Even when he’d called me Master in front of them.
“I’m glad too.” Returning his kiss, I chuckled. “And I’m glad they like that you have a Daddy.”
Our families were going to have a few more issues with it, but Joel’s had been a more pressing concern, considering how often he talked to them and that he told them everything.
Wiggling his behind like a cute pup, he cocked his head in a very deliberately manipulative fashion that had Dean sighing. Joel didn’t let that stop him from perfecting his craft, though. “Daddy’s worried? But they like him.”
“Worries are not always logical.” I shrugged as he nodded sagely at my explanation. “He’s glad they like him, but I’m pretty sure they just gave him stuff to think about.”
“Hmm?” Tapping his chin, Joel made thinking look adorable. “Thinky not worry?”
“Yes.” Giving our wet boy one last kiss, I reached into the tub. “And now you’re going to get dry-y.”
That had Joel giggling again but he tried to pout. “I’m not all done.”